Final- Critical Review and End user context

Imogen Latto
Apr 29, 2018
3 min read

Critical Review

My photography FMP has been full of interesting personal challenges. Skills I have learnt include theory strategies, camera techniques and lighting equipment that have been explored throughout my project to the best of my ability. These aspects were important because they helped to capture the B&B establishment in a unique way, which reflects themes of Englishness and cultural identity.

One of my key aims that appropriately defined my FMP was to create “an opportunity to record a snapshot of British Culture, which feels out of date and therefore is finite” (see my proposal). So I chose the B&B as a place that reflects history and identity. A main issue was that many B&B’s reflected bland, contemporary themes of the place or town they were in. For example, the coastal beach theme in Bournemouth. This was a weakness because most B&B’s were modern, therefore not a snapshot of authentic culture of the past. Now, I feel I have found the appropriate B&B (Chatsworth Hotel) that highlights the delicate atmosphere of an aspect of England that soon won’t exist.

The research helped my project by looking at a wide range of theorists and practitioners who communicate ideas of Englishness, Documentary photography, and cultural studies. I have gained a lot of knowledge, which has helped me connect my photography practice to my theme of Englishness. I have also researched a variety of practitioners that provide imagery that reflect cultural qualities. This helped me when shooting because I have been able to consider the role of setting, and objects that may represent identity. Edward Hopper’s artwork was an inspiration because of the class and identity shown. A key strength was that I manged to capture these themes through interiors, décor and portraits of the owners.

Technique has been a key part of my project and I concentrated on documentary approaches. These show positive development throughout my photoshoots, for example, staying a night in my final B&B and fully engaging with the experience. I chose to stay at the B&B because I thought this would allow me to view the environment properly and plan what to capture. I feel a sense of personal connection with these images because I experienced something that might soon be lost. A strength I have achieved has been the use of natural light because it gives my images a gentle, soft and realist atmosphere, when capturing a delicate identity. However, a weakness would be my experimentation with the Nikon Speedlight. One main problem was with the prominence of the flash, when photographing portraits. To overcome this I could have experimented with distance to give a softer feel.

Organisational skills have been a key strength when gaining access to locations. I found it difficult to ask for permission but as it progressed I felt a lot more confident. As well as completing photoshoots for my project I suggested to the owners that I would send some images that they could use for marketing. I managed to gain access to five B&B’s, of which I am proud, even if there environmental look wasn’t exactly what I wanted. Also, shoot plans were essential because of limited time on location. Overall, I believe addressing my strengths and weaknesses has allowed me to reflect on my project and improve the outcomes.

End user context and audience

The end user context of my work has been fully analyzed and thought about within my project. I would like my work to be considered for an editorial feature in the ‘Guardian’ or the ‘Sunday Times’. The readership for these newspapers is an older audience that would identify with the historical and cultural context of my work. However, I think a younger audience would learn a lot from my photographs, which display a nostalgic view of the past. This is because the industry has been replaced by standardised hotels e.g. Travel lodge and Premier Inn. I would also consider a feature in ‘IYL magazine’, which can be viewed on Instagram, as well as a printed version. The ‘Chatsworth Hotel’ photoshoot was chosen for the end user context because it shows Englishness of a bygone era. It best illustrates the identity of an industry that is changing when compared to my other photoshoots.

Strategies I have developed and tested for the real life presentation of my work include photobook layouts, gallery wall layout and a blog layout. I chose to do this so that my work can be available to a wide young audience, as well as being for an older generation.